Fraser River through Quesnel

I am camping in Quesnel tonight, at a small RV park in town, right on the river. The pedestrian bridge is just across the street from the parking lot for the park. The river is a fast one, it appears.

My Darling Nephews

My sister has three boys, aged 5, 8, and 9. They're busy little guys who love to explore the outside. We took a hike with them yesterday through the woods next to a river. After our sweaty hike, we all jumped in the local pool, a beautiful spot to chill!

Touring the Town with Karma

Took the van out for a tour of the town today, as many of my sister's friends had wanted to see the van. We also took it to the school her boys attend so some of the youth there could see it, and they wrote on the chalkboard. We also drove out to the lake where my sister volunteers as First Aid in the summers.  The bear is in front of the BC Snowmobiler's Association office. The lady in the garden is a friend of my sister's who collects pigs of all sorts and she showed me her pig garden, including a pig graveyard for broken pigs. I took several shots of the tall trees in BC. My sister is in one of the pics for perspective. Click on any photo to enlarge it. I find it the local perception of the migrational "tree planters"(aka hippies) very interesting. Some locals dislike when the tree planters come to town every summer in their painted up vehicles, smelly bodies, and hog the parking spaces. Without trees, the local's very economy would not exist in this logging/mill dependent town. Do they not realize that when they cut all those trees to feed the starved logging mill, the trees will not grow back unless replanted? Food for thought...

Van Life

I’ve spent nearly two months in the Karma van so far, so I thought I would describe van life so far. I’m sure it will change and evolve as the year passes, and as the landscape continues to change. The van is a 1985 Volkswagon Vanagon, bought from a pleasant Polish gentlemen in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The van comes equipped with two gas burners, a sink, mini-fridge, two swing out tables, a rear seat that folds into a 46 inch bed, a roof cap that rises to provide about 7 feet of headroom, and an upper 48 inch bunk. There was a furnace, but I had it disconnected. The front seats swivel to face each other and the passenger one will swivel to face the rear. There are 8 windows, counting the windshield, providing plenty of natural light, whether it’s sunny or not. All of the windows can be covered with curtains, and the back hatch has a screen that snaps over it to allow for terrific air flow. The each of the two side windows slide open and have screens. There is also a vent in the roof that pops up to allow heat to escape, and can be covered with a piece of screen and/or curtain as it does provide a great deal of light, much like a skylight. Those little pieces have long since gone missing, but I haven’t needed them just yet as the weather has been cool at night, and the side windows are enough. I’ll have to whip up a new piece of screen and curtain. They attach by Velcro, so easy to get done, possibly this week while I’m at my sister’s and have access to a sewing machine.


There are also ample cupboards and storage areas, which is great. I still manage to have a lot of STUFF, but I have been paring down as I go, trying to weed out what I haven’t really needed, or have no desire to drag around the continent with me. I brought along a square ottoman that has storage inside, providing an extra seat, footstool as well. I try to keep the floor relatively clutter free, as I despise tripping over STUFF. The only time it’s out of hand is when I’m mobile, as some things I just don’t want to travel on the bed, like my greasy barbecue and jugs of water/beer/juice. I have storage cubes under the seat that fit perfectly, storing a number of items for easy access.  I have one for food that doesn’t fit in the cupboard, one for first aid/cleaning/emergency supplies, one for bulkier dishes that won’t fit in the cupboards without hogging ALL the room such as bowls, camp kettle, thermos, big flashlight, hand wipes and such. The fourth one is the random fun stuff, like crayons, feather boas, tambourine, playing cards, dinky cars, sparklers, etc.  I often visit friends/family with children, so like to keep them busy.  I have also been known to indulge in the delight of coloring with Crayola crayons.  I just LOVE the smell of Crayolas. The imitations don’t come close, and use too much wax.

I have been rearranging things within the van for weeks as I pare down some things, pack others more efficiently.  I’ve bought and chucked storage ideas, and am still searching for more ways to maximize the storage space and cut down on clutter. With such a small living space, it doesn’t take long to crowd myself out. I am carrying nearly everything I own right now, since I sold or lost everything else in the fire. I have a few things in my mother’s storage locker in Nova Scotia, and that’s it. I do have my house in Newfoundland with a few things, however I sold nearly all the furniture and appliances from that place as the community is closing for good. Many folks I’ve spoken with across the country ask me if it was freeing to have so few belongings, even with the tragic fire that took most of it.  The fact is, yes, it is indeed freeing, but bittersweet. I have lost a great deal of personal items that cannot be replaced, but I have the freedom to move wherever I please by not being bogged down with the usual issue – how in the hell do I get all that stuff out there. Unless I took a government job in the north, I’ve had to move all of my own belongings back and forth across the country, which is getting more and more expensive these days. Now a move is not as daunting as I can drive anywhere with everything I need.

There are drawbacks to van life, I won’t lie. There is no bathroom, so anywhere I camp, I usually choose to camp where there’s a bathroom. I do have my little toilet seat, but that is for backup, not everyday. When I’m on the move, I have to pack everything on the bed and then when I land for the night, I have to move it all up overhead to the second bunk so I can sleep in the bed. I have left the back bench seat down in the bed position as it just wasn’t practical for long term living to be putting it back and forth every night, and I had nowhere else to put the foam I have brought along for my bed. The bed has been very comfortable, and I’ve gotten some really solid sleep.  Without the foam though, I reckon that would be a different story. I also have been packing up my blankets every morning when I’m on the move, as I  load everything else onto the bed. I may start just making up the bed, tucking the covers in, as it is a real drag to make up the bed every night.  The foam mattress I have on top shifts constantly though, which is an even bigger drag, as I have to yank it back straight several times a day, depending on how often I’m sitting on the bed. It also migrates when I’m sleeping. I’m not sure what the answer is as there is no footboard like you might have on a house bed. I have a poster of John Lennon on the ceiling over the head of my bed…John and I enjoy our time together…I have a beautiful original painting of Stormy on the wall beside my bed, painted by David King, in Halifax. I also have a print my daughter bought me after the fire to replace one I had lost. She had no idea, but she bought me the exact same one, which thrilled me as it was my favorite by the artist.

Other drawbacks are that storage space is not all easily accessible in my current setup, so I have to either find a way to make that work, or change it altogether. There are compartments under one of the tables, but I have to swing the table out each time I want to access them. I’ve set up my computer on this table, along with some storage bins, and so it’s a balancing act each time I need to get in there.  At first it was a royal pain, but I have managed to shift things around enough that I put things I use less regularly in there. The closet is also in the same predicament – inaccessible unless the table is moved. I have a lot of the bulkier items in there, as it wasn’t practical to store my clothing in there.  That is an issue I have yet to resolve. I had been storing it in my large backpack, but rooting through a backpack of rolled up clothing is a bit of a chore, mostly trying to fit it all back in there again after doing the laundry.  Right now, it’s neatly piled up in overhead bed, but that will have to move if I want to drive the van. I seem to spend a great deal of time moving stuff around, something I despise. However, I enjoy a tidy home, even if it is a small camper. I probably just need to keep paring things down too. I over packed I think, not knowing what would be useful on the journey, and knowing I may not always have easy access to shopping.

The van gets rather warm in the sun, so I have to get the screen in the upper tent fixed. It is there, but not attached on 3 sides. I can probably just attach some Velcro.  It hasn’t been too hot yet, but once I head down south for the rest of the year, it will be plenty hot enough.

The sliding door is rather loud when it slides along, enough to wake the dead it seems. I’m not sure if there is a cure for this, but I’ll hunt around on the internet to look for ideas.

The pop-up is the easiest thing I’ve ever set up and taken down. There is a bar on it much like a folding table and you just push it up and click it into place. Voila. Taking it down is just as simple. I know why these types of camper vans were so popular with the 60’s crowd, super easy to set up, pretty good on gas, and you can fit a lot of STUFF in here. I’m sitting in the van right now, pounding this out on my mini laptop, perched in the passenger seat with the swing table over my lap. Thankfully the front seats are fairly comfortable, so I don’t mind them too much, although nothing takes the place of a nice soft comfy couch…

When I’m plugged in, I have a natural light lamp that can sit nearly anywhere, and folds into itself for storage, and doesn’t require a bulky shade. I also plug in the speakers for my computer and blast the music. I can also charge my cameras and blackberry.  I also turn the fridge on to keep things chilled. The fridge can be powered by the van battery as well, and only turns on when the van is running to preserve the battery’s power for the starter. I just found that bit of information out by reading the guide a few days ago. I had been worried about turning the fridge on battery, thinking I might forget to turn it off when we parked. I should have known they would account for that. Smart VW people!  I haven’t used the propane yet, and haven’t had the tank filled. I probably will look into that once I get to Victoria. I haven’t really needed it as I have a portable two-burner stove, and the fridge has two other sources in addition to being able to run on propane.

The roof vent leaks somewhat, so there is water on one of the swinging tables if it pours. I’m thinking of replacing it when I get to Victoria, either that or getting at it with a caulking gun…at least it’s not over my bed…

I miss having Stormy in the van. I know he couldn’t come for the whole journey, but I had gotten rather used to sharing such close quarters with him. I know he will be well cared for by my daughter, but I miss him just the same, particularly at bedtime as he has always slept on my bed with me. Sigh…

I have  flat panel monitor to hook up to my laptop for bigger viewing size when I watch videos, but I can’t get the damn thing to work with my computer. I shall have to call Dell for that, so hope to get it done tomorrow. The mini-pc is compact, but the screen is pretty small to watch anything much on it for long.  I would like to mount the monitor somehow, but not until I can get it to work with my laptop. I have been procrastinating because it will involve a long phonecall to someone I can’t understand in India….

I try to write at least once a day, even if it isn’t much more than a journal entry of the day’s activities. I didn’t get much written in the first part of the journey as I was driving most of the time, and after a full day of driving, I haven’t always felt like writing much.  Once I plant for awhile, I expect to write for a few hours each day if I can, if not more. I do 99% of the writing in the van, either sitting on the bed, or in my current perch.

So there you have it, van life….and so much more.

The latest captures

My sister and I drove west on highway 16 and stopped at a few canyons along the way for some spectacular views! My feet are on a suspension bridge - these are scared bridge feet...

I bought a pop-up screen tent that is so compact and light to carry in the van, and sets up in minutes. The only problem is getting it to fold back up again and stuffed into the bag.  It took me 4 days the last time to figure it out when I had it out for my camping trip with Amber...I wonder how long it will stand outside this time.  I don't know what the problem is. There are instructions, but they don't make a lot of sense. I did get it folded up correctly in Whitehorse, eventually after much swearing, sweating and threats of mass destruction...but I cannot recall how I finally got it done. It isn't rocket science, but it has thus far eluded me.

Houston, we have a problem

I can't get my water supply to work in the van and I don't really know what the problem is.  I filled the tank, I read the book and still nothing but air...

I'm in Houston (British Columbia) with my sister and her family for the week.  I haven't seen the boys in a few years, since my sister drove up north to visit me in Fort Resolution in 2007.  They're growing like weeds and I'm enjoying spending time with everyone.  This past weekend, my sister and I packed up the van and headed west in search of a great place to camp. Turns out we were a day late for most campgrounds as we didn't leave until Saturday, however we were able to locate a brand new, private campground, just outside of Terrace called Goldfish Resort.  It was small, but adequate.  Our site was next to the stacked woodpile that was free - yes free...hard to imagine in a provincial campground.  We were also right next to the port-a-potty and we had power and water hookups.  I still don't have a converter to change my 15amp plug to a 30amp plug so had to borrow one from the campground owners.  I have discovered that many of the campgrounds only have 30amp service.  The elusive converter plug has proven very difficult to locate. Next stop - ebay.

We had a fabulous weekend, camping and shopping in the local area. We stopped at some beautiful sites and I took tons of photos, which I'll post a bit later tonight when I get them all  uploaded to my computer. The weather was awesome, and just a few sprinkles now and then.  My sister let her hair down (not literally - there isn't enough, heh heh) and seemed to think her big sister was pretty funny.  I think more the case, many funny/embarrassing things have happened in my life and I tell a good story.  In any case, we had many laughs and caught up, which was sooooo good.  The last time I saw my sister was when our father died, so we were looking to make new memories and we did.

I'll be here until Sunday, when I head south finally, and will visit with a few friends along the way before heading to Victoria on Thursday for most of the summer with my west coast "family". A. is a great friend I met through another great friend and her husband has become the brother I wish I had (my biological brother is still alive, but dead to me), and then there's their little guy that I can't wait to see - last saw him as a 10 week old infant a few Christmases ago.

I can't believe I've been on the road for nearly two months already...where did the time go?

Driving the Stewart-Cassiar Highway

I left Whitehorse yesterday morning and headed east towards Watson Lake, and turned down onto the 37 Highway otherwise known as the Stewart-Cassiar highway. It winds through the mountains, past many lakes and rivers, and is quite an interesting drive.  Jade City is a small blip along the highway where there is an operating jade mine. I picked up a few things, including this gorgeous jade ring. The young gals who worked at the gift shop were quite smitten with my van, and left a message on the chalkboard.  I also left my mark on a rock not far from town.


The weather has been both sunny and pissing down rain. I don't mind either.  I found myself in a bit of a mess though at one point as the water trucks had soaked down a stretch of unpaved highway with their chemical shit, and a big truck went by me and soaked Karma in muck...and I couldn't figure out how to get the windshield wiper fluid to come out! T'was a bit dicey for awhile as I roared through the mountains on slimy dirt road peering out through nothing more than a crack of clean in a mucky window. I finally pulled over and sorted that issue out, learning from the book that the fluid can only shoot out when the wiper handle is in the 4th position...


Then the rain came and washed Karma clean again. I'm parked at Meziadin Lake campground for the night. There are no powered sites, but oddly enough, there is wireless internet...they run a generator for a few hours a day to power the office and a wireless router. My computer was dead from spending last night at a campground with no power, watching ER, so I had to charge it in the shop first before I could access the internet.


I saw a ton of wildlife yesterday and today, particularly. I saw many bears, mostly black, and one grizzly. At one point I was rounding a hill and saw what looked like three bears, and just as I was about to pass them, as they were RIGHT at the edge of the road, mumma bear stood upright between her two cubs and faced me!!! I had thought about slowing down for pics, but when she stood up, that was a clear message to bugger off and keep driving. I saw two caribou, who ran across the road in front of me, as well as two moose, munching roadside, and then ran off into the woods.  I just love all of the wildlife, as it gives me such a natural high to see them in their natural environment. I did get a video of the two caribou, so will post that when there is better internet than this sluggish campsite bit.


Houston tomorrow, to visit with my sister and her family. Can't wait to see my little nephews, who are growing up so very fast. They are 5, 8, and 9. Where has the time gone?

Karma's Outing

Karma went to see the mechanic today who found the problem right away. The oil sending unit went on it, so he fixed that and now she's good to go. I'll be leaving in the morning for my sister's place in BC - yayyy!

The latest

I took Karma to Wal-mart for the oil change. Yeah...they're stun'd. They took one look under it and told me my oil pan was leaking and had a serious crack in it, and that there was a small amount of oil leaking from the filter. I drove it home and called the local VW mechanic. My van doesn't come with an oil pan as such. It has a pan that joins and the join may look like a crack. So Karma is going to a known VW mechanic just out of town.  I have CAA so they are going to tow it out to John's Auto Repair and see what the real issue is. I am here until at least Wednesday now...I am going to have to extend my trip to my sister's past the weekend as I have lost too many days already, and I don't want to rush my visit with her and the family. 


I could have had them tow it this afternoon, but he wouldn't be able to look at it until tomorrow, and I need it to sleep in, and all my stuff is in there, so I'll get her towed in the morning. So I have another couple of nights with my gal, and Stormy! Yahoo! I am anxious to get moving, but if I have to be stranded anywhere, I'd sooner it was here with my daughter and my kitty. Awww....


Another beautiful sunny warm day, it was not a hard decision to make.

I Don't Hate Mondays

I went out for lunch with my gal on Saturday before heading to Marsh Lake to spend the weekend with a friend. We took some photos by the local riverboat that has been docked for decades as a museum. It's right in the middle of town, of course, and once carried miners and their supplies up and down the river.


Now that I'm not rousting early and heading into a 9-5 job every day, I don't hate Mondays anymore...and today is a bright and sunny one, here in Whitehorse. Yes, Whitehorse. My intention was to drive out from my friend's place at Marsh Lake where I was to spend Saturday and Sunday night. I wasn't there long before I discovered I had forgotten something at my daughter's - the barbecue, and I had come out to barbecue for everyone...we solved that by cooking over campfire instead, which did turn out quite well.  Sunday we went for a nice walk in the local area past several spirit houses that are erected by the local First Nations folk. The lake bed was quite dry so my friend's kids were out paddling in the remaining channels.




After recalling more than 4 things I had forgotten, i finally decided to return to Whitehorse for the night with my daughter and pick up the items. So I packed up the van, and had it warming up while I was saying goodbye to my friend when she asked where the spare tire was. i told her it was underneath so she took a peek and noticed the oil running out of the van in a small but steady stream. Holy shit. So I checked the oil level - nearly non-detectable...holy shit again. I dumped in two litres that I had, and it managed to bring it up to the low notch...holy shit.  I decided to take off for town right then and get the oil leak checked out the following day.




Once back in Whitehorse, my daughter's boyfriend took a peek underneath where it was leaking and figures the oil filter has become punctured and I'm losing oil there.  Apparently the oil filter is exposed beneath the engine, and I had driven in 5kms of rough road on the trip to Skagway, as they were repaving and laying new gravel underneath - it is entirely possible that was what happened, and the rock became dislodged once I was home.  There are two long drip lines from the driveway here to the street from Saturday I reckon, when I left for Marsh Lake.  So I have an appointment for another oil change, and if that isn't the issue, I have the number of a reportedly good VW mechanic just outside of town, so may have to check into that.






The implications of this issue though impact my next move. If gravel roads can easily damage the oil filter, as the b/f told me it appears to be very vulnerable with no guard to protect it from rock damage, then I may not be able to drive my intended route.  I had planned on driving west to Watson Lake, and then south on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, however much of it was unpaved the last time I traveled it so shall have to check into that as well. I really don't want to drive south again on the Alaska Highway to my sister's in Houston as it is a much longer route, though in better shape. Decisions, decisions...


As well, not being able to drive to Boya Lake today puts me behind another day. I don't really want to keep much of a schedule, but sometimes the visits have to coincide with the schedule of the people I'm visiting, so I've had to switch things around, cut visits short, stay longer other places while work is done on the van, etc.